Treating Migraine

Migraine relief.

What is a migraine?

A migraine is a severe headache, commonly unilateral in nature, that may be preceded or accompanied by sensory warning signs (aura) including blind spots, tingling in arms/legs, nausea, vomiting, flashes of light, photosensitivity, unpleasant smells, difficulty speaking, confusing thoughts and sensitivity to sound (Medical News Today 2020). 

What causes migraines to occur?

The exact cause of migraines is largely unknown, although a sudden increase in the blood flow (vasodilation) in the cranial blood vessels caused by a temporary alteration in nerve signals is thought to be involved. Often sufferers are able to identify triggers, although many cannot, including: allergies, bright lights/noises, stress, tiredness, smoking/exposure to smoking, dehydration, alcohol, skipping meals, hormonal triggers and certain food additives (Medical News Today 2020).

 What current treatments are available for migraine sufferers?

Before attempting to treat headaches/migraines it is essential for other causes to be eliminated including, but not limited to stroke, haemorrhage, sinusitis and tumour. There is currently no cure for migraine therefore current treatment is aimed at prevention and alleviation of symptoms. Treatments include medication, oxygen therapy, exercise, chiropractic and or/acupuncture and dietary changes. Over more recent years the injection of muscle relaxants via several injection sights has been shown to significantly reduce/eliminate the occurrence of migraine episodes (Janis et al 2019).

 How do muscle relaxants work regarding the treatment of migraines?

Muscle relaxant treatment work as a preventative measure in the treatment of migraines. As there is no muscular component to migraines, the mechanism by which muscle relaxants work is not fully understood. However, recent evidence suggests that muscle relaxants may prevent the release of neuropeptides involved in pain perception and inflammation (Capehart 2019). Typically, a muscle relaxant treatment can exert its effect via the uptake of cholinergic neurons resulting in temporary chemo denervation and a decrease in neuromuscular transmission, for the treatments of migraines, muscle relaxant treatment can also relieve pain where there is excessive muscular contraction (Blumernfeld et al 2018).

 What happens during consultation/treatment?

When establishing a client’s suitability for preventative treatment of migraine with muscle relaxants, practitioners will ask a series of questions and undertake a thorough evaluation of the client. If triggers for attacks have been identified the importance of continuing to avoid these triggers (where possible) will be reinforced. If the migraine attacks are hormonal in causation or secondary to sinusitis, treatment with muscle relaxants will be ruled out due to lack of success in these circumstances. If the client has not already sought medical attention regarding the migraine attacks they will be advised (referred) to do so to ensure that there is no potential for differential diagnosis.

There are several sites for treating migraine attacks with muscle relaxants, including muscles within the frown and forehead, the temples and grinding/masseter muscles (Capehart 2017) and muscles located at the base of the neck.

The treatment of migraine attacks with muscle relaxants will typically last between 3-6 months depending on site treatment and amount of product used. It is both safe and effective, with excellent tolerability reported. Muscle relaxant treatments are an exceptional preventive treatment for migraine.